Online student completes final year on campus
From the tropical, densely populated island of Singapore to the
rural, high mountain desert of southern Colorado, Stacey Faith Shepherdson
bravely chose to spread her wings and physically attend Adams State University,
after beginning her degree through online courses.
"I chose to finish my final year on
campus itself," Shepherdson said. She received her bachelor’s degree in
interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in sociology and criminology at
Adams State’s Commencement Ceremony on May 14. "When people ask me, I just say,
‘sociology’ because I take pride in being from that department."
Shepherdson
began her association with Adams State through the Extended Studies Arium
Program in Singapore. "My course work through the online program prepared me
well for on-campus classes," Shepherdson said.
However, she still had to adjust to
an entirely different country and living situation. "I wanted to experience a
new environment and culture and I was blessed with the privilege and
opportunity to be able to go, so I went for it."
Adams State professors and staff
supported Shepherdson and helped make her year on campus successful. Dr. Ben
Waddell, assistant professor of sociology, encouraged her to share her culture
with him and the class. "He took the time to get to know me as a student." Chair
of the Sociology Department Dr. Grace Young was the first professor Shepherdson
met when she arrived. "She introduced me to the sociology program and got me
even more excited about it."
Outside
of academics, Oneyda Maestas, Cultural Awareness and Student Achievement Center
(CASA) director, welcomed Shepherdson with "open arms. Oneyda made
my stay much more enjoyable by making me feel at home. She was a joy to get to
know."
Carol Shepherdson
traveled with her daughter to Adams State and stayed long enough to help her
get settled. Ellen Novotny, Extended Studies instructor, and Dr. Frank Novotny,
Adams State vice president of Academic Affairs, befriended both Stacey and Carol.
"Imagine coming to a foreign country for ten months, with only three large
suitcases," Ellen said. "Needless to say, we shopped the local economy to
outfit her dorm room, and to gather clothing appropriate for an Alamosa winter."
They also established necessary medical, financial, technical, and insurance
contacts and took in some local sites including Creede, Lake City, and San Luis,
before Carol flew back home to Singapore.
Once comfortably
established, Shepherdson embraced the new experience. "Stacey absolutely glowed
with the joy of a young woman on the trailhead of a grand adventure," Novotny
added. "Intelligent, caring, studious, charming, filled with questions and
seeking answers, Stacy met ASU with confidence, knowing she was supported by
her family from afar."
The decision to attend Adams State,
as an on-campus student, opened up a whole world for Shepherdson. "I experienced
so many different new things that I wouldn’t have been able to, had I chose to
stay in Singapore. I also got to meet a range of people with different
personalities and backgrounds. In turn, it helped me grow as a person, as well,
because I was able to understand how to live on my own and make friends with
people from another country. I also got a taste of American culture and having
the freedom of being in college."
Arium
School of Arts and Science, a private higher education institution in Singapore,
has partnered with Adams State Extended Studies for over ten years to provide
the opportunity for students in Singapore to earn a United States degree.
For more information about all Adams
State Extended Studies programs call
719-587-7671.
